I agree with what you have said. On saying that, I do put up on the announcement board, that I do appreciate and return comments. It is a networking site, and I often don't have time to trawl the forums! I genuinely love looking and commenting on people's work. I am genuine in my comments, I don't expect any in return when I do comment on someone's piece it does mean that I do like that image. Yes, there are comment junkies on here, but each to their own!! It's a bit like putting work up in a gallery, and not wanting people to discuss your work.

It is a networking site and lets be honest, what are the chances of your profile being noticed (especially for a male model) if you're not active on the site? It is just another way of getting exposure and letting people see your work.

Chances are you will get people that browse thru the comments/lists of their friends and see yours - and ka ching :-)

JAE Photography PA wrote: It is just an occasional way to kill time and check out some random peoples work.

^

Sometimes it can be fun. Even if there's not a high level of critique, it can also show you what photos a user likes best from a set. It's a good way to pass the time, if you're just bored and trolling around the web anyway.

Certain people can go overboard, with no meaning behind it. I appreciate sincere comments and also give them, but one is not dependant on the other. I don't count how many. There are comment "collectors" the same way there are friend "collectors", with thousands of random friends. To me it is not "who has the most". (Mine is bigger than yours! nah nah) I generally choose to accept friends here that I have either had some connection with, or that there is some possibility of a future collaboration with. I don't accept "drive by" requests from random collectors!

Like others have said, it's mainly to kill time. If you get comments, don't feel obligated to comment back, unless you really want to. I didn't for years... only recently have I started commenting or tagging when someone else does so for me, and mainly because I found that, at least in my area, it actually translates into real-life networking.

Sometimes it can be fun. Even if there's not a high level of critique, it can also show you what photos a user likes best from a set. It's a good way to pass the time, if you're just bored and trolling around the web anyway.

With this I totally agree - it's really good way to find out, which are the best photos from all.

Lemura wrote: With this I totally agree - it's really good way to find out, which are the best photos from all.

Usually, comments are just mundane compliments, especially the ones that are traded or begged for. The true opinions come in the Critique board where you will really get an opinion in your photos, how the model poses, the lighting and all those other criteria.

Well in theory really. I have pastel nude figure paintings in 90% of my port, and I have noticed that although I comment on every type of port, some models who do not pose nude don't comment, either because they don't care about paintings, or they are upset that they saw nudes, even though they had promised to return comments in their announcements!

M A U I wrote: There are two systems of comment gathering on this site:

One for female models
One for everyone else.

DOUGLASFOTOS wrote: Hummm....ok

He pretty much speaks the truth.

A given image will typically get 3x the comments in the model's port vs. the photographer's. However, the majority are from photographers who wish to work with the model and convince that that they can do better.

A given image will typically get 3x the comments in the model's port vs. the photographer's. However, the majority are from photographers who wish to work with the model and convince that that they can do better.

I don't agree. I generally get a lot more comments than the models I shoot, except one who knows how to use the site as networking tool. Many of my most viewed, commented and listed images were not even posted by the model. A lost opportunity IMO I comment, FR and list regularly and I get meaningful comments on my images mostly. Yes, are the few "nice picture" etc comments. But for the most part they are thoughtful and very much appreciated and returned. I have met and made lots of online and some real life MM friends via the Announce and FR MM "tools"

Lemura, I totally agree and was about to post a similar comment myself about this! I'm on lots of other sites for my other art mediums and folks comment if they feel it, this is the first time I've ever seen this "comments for comments", it feels forced, pressured and insincere.

Lemura wrote: I'm there for some time now and really don't understand one thing - what it all about those "comments to comments" on Announcement wall.

Like "Comments welcomed and returned", "comments very appreciated and returned immediately!", "EVERY comment gets returned ASAP" etc.

This is so..so silly..in some way..
For me it feels, that people are just collecting comments and there isn't any importance in the sense of them, all is in quantity only.

Why do you care? Some might argue that your post is silly..... But then again most people have bigger concerns.

As to your question about why? It's in a very basic form 'marketing'. Some people on here do this to make money. traffic to their page equals exposure, and possible work. Other reasons include wanting feedback, recognition, praise etc. it's not silly at all if you actually take a minute to understand it.

I can't speak for anyone else, but i make the announcement: "anyone in the mood to trade a comment or two" mostly b'cuz the llamas i work with LOVE to see people's honest expressions about their llamaing skills. Let's be honest: if the llamas we work with DIDN'T get to read comments about their work, they would lose interest over time, and then we'd have more no shows/no calls to deal with. EVERYONE wants to feel accepted/appreciated and i'm not ashamed to troll for comments if it makes my llamas feel good about themselves and their work ~ m'

It's too bad you "don't get it". It is a way of networking and displaying your work. I have met some fabulous photographers and models and corresponded with them.PLUS I have had numerous models comment on my work and ask if we can do something similar. It works so don't knock it.

Well OK, I'm a comment junkie, I'm addicted, and I admit it. Group therapy has only helped me kick the habit temporarily. Soon after "recovering", I'm back at it - begging with the best of them!

Hey seriously, I love sharing my thoughts on others work as much as hearing back from folks. The announcement page and comment swapping allows me to stay in touch with hundreds of talented and gifted models and photographers from around the world. It's networking. It generates work, friendship, it's fun - and it's free!

I don't agree. I generally get a lot more comments than the models I shoot, except one who knows how to use the site as networking tool. Many of my most viewed, commented and listed images were not even posted by the model. A lost opportunity IMO I comment, FR and list regularly and I get meaningful comments on my images mostly. Yes, are the few "nice picture" etc comments. But for the most part they are thoughtful and very much appreciated and returned. I have met and made lots of online and some real life MM friends via the Announce and FR MM "tools"

So that said if you think it's all just a joke ... you're mistaken.

Be easy,

Alvin

If you need to FR, give comments and do announcements, then you are a part of everyone else.

I said this before and people jumped all over me. I think trading comments is a joke and devalues the worth of a real comment.

I have seen some total crap pictures just ugly unflattering pictures. And they have tons of comments because the guy was trading 3 and 4 for 1 on comments. I would not even want my name on that picture for 100 to 1 comments!

I have never traded because I want to know if someone actually likes my work because of it's merit.

So yes I agree. But if I see something I like I will comment. But I won't guarantee it or trade intentionally.

Nico Simon Princely wrote: I have seen some total crap pictures just ugly unflattering pictures. And they have tons of comments because the guy was trading 3 and 4 for 1 on comments. I would not even want my name on that picture for 100 to 1 comments!

I do it because I get bored and because it gives me a chance to see what images seem to stick out more to people. Even if I say "comments on my avatar returned" and notice that I hardly get comments on that specific picture, maybe it's not as strong of an image as I thought, and maybe I should consider removing it or at least putting something else up in its place.

As many have already said ... it's networking, it's an excuse to check out someone's profile that you otherwise wouldn't see, and it's a way of seeing what people like in your own portfolio. Sure most of the comments are one or two words that don't say much, but some have been very helpful - just reassuring that something I tried actually worked. For me, its not so much about the number of comments, it's interesting to see which photos get singled out for comments more than others. When a couple of different people pick one shot and say it's the best one in your portfolio - that does feel pretty good - especially if it's one you felt was a good shot.

And despite the comment for comment 'promise', I really won't leave a comment if I don't think anything is really worth a positive comment (and sometimes it is hard to say something nice).

I agree with Brianne Leary. If I put five new shots up I'd like to know which ones catch the most eyes and draw the most attention. I also look at the ones that haven't received comments and try to determine what I could have done to improve on the finished product. But, in the end it's the ones involved in the shot who need to be satisfied. I also think comment swapping is a great way to spend a bad weather day if you can't be shooting:)

Disclaimer: All casting calls on our site are posted by third parties and not by us. We are not a talent agency and we do not endorse or recommend any agency, company or individual
that posts a casting call on our site. We do not verify the legitimacy, accuracy or currency of any casting notice posted on our site. Please refer to Member Safety and Avoiding Scams
before deciding to work with any individuals on the site. If you notice any suspicious activity, please report such activity to us immediately at [email protected]. By
using this site, you agree to be bound by our Site Rules, Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.